[ASA] 2013A Gemini & Subaru proposal deadline extension

[Christopher Onken]

Owing to some confusion over the various partner proposal deadlines
for 2013A, the deadline for Australian proposals for Gemini & Subaru
time in 2013A has been extended until 5pm AEST on Tuesday 9 Oct.

Thus, the new Gemini & Subaru deadlines are the same as for 2013A
Magellan proposals.

Note that only proposals seeking time from Australia can be
accepted -- joint proposals will not be allowed during this
supplementary call.


How to apply
------------

Gemini applications must be submitted using the 2013A release of
the Phase I Tool (PIT) software. Subaru applications are also
submitted using the PIT. For full details on instrument
availability and application procedures, please see:

http://ausgo.aao.gov.au/cfp.html

as well as the official Gemini Observatory Call for Proposals:

http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/observing-gemini/2013a-call-proposals


What's new for Semester 2013A?
------------------------------

- Minor improvements have been made to the completely new Phase I
Tool that was introduced in 2012B. ATAC applicants must now
prepare their scientific and technical justification using either
the Gemini default LaTeX style file (GemPhase1_13A.sty) and
proposal template (GemPhase1.tex), or Gemini default Word template
(GemPhase1.doc) as used by all partners except the US, then upload
this as a PDF attachment using the PIT. There is now a limit of one
page of text for the scientific justification; up to 2 more pages
of figures, tables, and references; and one page for the technical
justification.

- The RSAA-built Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (GSAOI) on
the Gemini Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics System (GeMS) is being
offered for early science from February to April 2013, limiting RAs
to 6.5h - 19h, and declination to -70 to +10 degrees. Availability
is dependent on successful System Verification (SV) during 2012B. An
SV call for 2012B has been issued. 80 to 100 hours are available in
2013A as "shared risk" since instrument availability and data quality
cannot be guaranteed, and reduced observing efficiency is expected.

- After a major refurbishment in 2012B, GNIRS is available in all
modes except those requiring the short red camera. This will exclude
science at wavelengths 2.9 to 5.5 microns with the 0.15 arcsec/pixel
scale. Some of this science can be done using the long red camera
with the smaller pixel scale (or higher resolution for spectroscopy).
GNIRS will be removed at the end of 2013A for a lens replacement;
although the exact date will be driven by demand, applicants with
targets at RA 22h to 1h are advised to have backup targets available
at earlier RA.

- This is likely to be the last A semester that NICI will be offered,
with the arrival of GPI anticipated midway through 2013.

- GMOS-South may be removed at the end of 2013A for replacement of
the original E2V CCDs with new red-sensitive Hamamatsu CCDs; although
the exact date will be driven by demand, applicants with targets at
RA 0h to 2h are advised to have backup targets available.


Need help?
----------

For general enquiries about Australian usage of Gemini, Magellan, or 
Subaru, please contact the Australian Gemini Office (ausgo at aao.gov.au). 
For technical queries about a Gemini Phase I proposal, please use the 
Gemini Helpdesk:

http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/helpdesk/



Australian Gemini Office
ausgo at aao.gov.au